Vinyl base bender



April 10, 1962 D. A. RUTHERFORD VINYL BASE BENDER 5 Sheefs-Sheet 1 Filed June 24, 1960 Nemwwes *'-t INVENTOR.

Zarge/@mep April 10, 1962 D. A. RUTHERFORD VINYL BASE BENDER 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 24, 1960 INVENTOR.

April l0, 1962 D. A. RUTHERFORD 3,028,628

VINYL BASE BENDER Filed June 24, 1960 5 Sheets-Shree?I 5 BY "g2/'g' 7 W ited States Patent @dice 3,028,628 Patented Apr. 10, 1962 3,028,628 VINYL BASE BENDER Darel A. Rutherford, 1108 Summit Drive NE., Albuquerque, N. Mex. Filed June 24, 1960, Ser. No. 38,489 8 Claims. (Cl. 18--19)` This invention relates to a vinyl base bender and has as its primary object the provision of a tool for bending a vinyl base for use in corners.

An additional important object of the invention is the provision of a tool of this character which forms the toe of the base at the same time the corner is bent.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character provided with a removable die or dies so that the sametool may be employed for both outside and inside base corners.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character wherein 4one of the discs is pivotally attached to the device so that the'jaws open wider in front to permit easier insertion of a piece of base to be bent, and also for the purpose of applying stronger pressure on the toe of the bent piece of the base.

As conducive to a clearer understanding of this invention, it may here be pointed out that vinyl base as described in this invention is a recently developed product which has been made to supplant asphalt base. Under present practice vinyl base is bent by heating the base with a torch, folding it double and rolling it with a steel roller or the like. While this practice effectively provides a sharp corner, it is unsatisfactory for the reason that when the toe is forced back into horizontal position as is the normal case in use of such a base, the corner tends to unbend, making adhesion diiiicult, particularly on a short corner. If the toe is left in unbent position a hollow space is formed on the tioor on either side of the corner. An important object of this invention is, therefore, the provision of a tool which forms the toe at the same time that the corner is bent, that is, when the vinyl is in heated or malleable condition, and when so bent a vinyl base corner tends to retain its bent position, adheres closely to the wall, tits the iioor accurately, and presents a smooth and finished appearance.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such a vinyl base bender which is sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and eicient in operation, and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture and utilize.

Still other objects reside in the combination of elements, arrangements of parts, and features of construction, all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter and disclosed in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational View of one form of base bender embodying features of the instant invention;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan View of the device of FIG. l;

FIGURE 3 is an end elevational view of the devices of FIGS. l and 2 as viewed from the left;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional View taken substantially along the line 5-5 of FIG. 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a modified form of construction;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken substantially along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6 as Viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

y FIGURE 8 is a sectional View taken substantially along the line 8--8 of FIG. 7 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows; and

FIGURE 9 is a reduced perspective view of a vinyl base after bending by the device of the instant invention.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Having reference now to the drawings in detail, the device of the instant invention is generally indicated at 10 and includes a lower handle member 11, which is channel shaped in a generally arcuate configuration interiorly. Integrally formed with the handle member 11 are a pair of upstanding ears 12, which are aligned between a pair of depending ears 13 carried by a second handle member 14, the latter being of generally arcuate channel shape construction corresponding to that of the first handle member 111. Ears 12 and 13 are provided withaligned apertures through which extends a bolt 15, which serves as a pivot, the bolt being secured in position by means of a nut 17. A relatively heavy coil spring 18 surrounds bolt 15, and has one of its ends 19 engaging the inner side of the first handle member 1f1 while the other of its ends correspondingly engages the opposite handle member 14 at 20, the arrangement being such that ends 19 and 20 are biased outwardly by the spring 18 in such manner as to force handles 11 and 14 apart about the pivot 15. First or lower handle member v11 has formed integrally therewith a channel shaped female die generally indicated at 25, which tapers outwardly, in a direction away from theV handle member I11, as best shown in FIG. 2. The extremities of die 25 are formed with outwardly extending oppositely disposed ears 26, which extend laterally therefrom at a point adjacent the upper edge thereof, while a depending toe forming lip 27 extends downwardly from the bottom of the substantially V-shaped die member 2'5. Oppositely disposed circular lugs 28 are provided on members 26 and have iianges 29 formed thereon. which extend about their peripheries being substantially aligned with the top of the female die 25, and constitute means for guiding the toe of the base when bent, in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter. Lugs 28 are rotatably mounted on pins 28a.

The handle member 14 carries forwardly of the ears 13 a second pair of spaced apart depending ears 30, which are apertured to accommodate a bolt 31, Awhich is secured in position by means of ya nut 32. The bolt 31 serves as an axle upon which is mounted a block 33 which is integral with a male die element 314. As best shown in FIG. 3, the male die element 34- comprises a pair of substantially parallel side walls 3S, from the lower ends of which inclined walls 36 extend to a rounded inverted apex 37 which is adapted to cooperate with the bottom 38 of V-shaped female die 25. While the male die is disclosed in this form of the invention as being a solid block, it will be understood that the same may, if desired, be formed of bent sheet metal, and the block 33 may be supplanted by a pair of ears struck upwardly from the sides of the sheet metal die.

Similarly, while the axle mounting the die for pivotal motion is shown as a bolt and nut, a conventional ball lock pin may be substituted therefor if desired.

The upper portion of the block 33 is provided with a recess 40 in which seats the end of an adjusting screw 41, which extends through a suitable opening from the top of the end of handle member 14, upon which is fixed an adjusting nut 42, the threads of screw 41 engaging the threads of nut 42 whereby upon rotation of the head 43 of screw 4l the angular inclination of block 33 and hence male die 34- relative to pivot 31 may be adjusted.

A second bolt 45 extends through a washer 46 on the top of handle member 14 on the opposite side of pivot 31 from bolt 4l, and engages a threaded bore 47 in the end of male die 34. A compression spring 48 surrounds bolt 45 and biases vthe end of male die 34 downwardly toward female die 2S. By virtue of this arrangement the end of male die 34 adjacent the handle engages the female die, or that portion of the vinyl base adjacent the end closest to the handles before the means for forming the toe of the base contact the opposite end of the base, thus forming the bend from the top of the base toward the toe, which provides a smoother and more eflicient bending action.

Male die 34 is provided with a removable end boss 59, which includes a rearwardly extending rod 51 which engages in a bore 52 extending inwardly from the end of die 34 and a second aligned rod 53 which engages in a second bore 54, the bores 52 and 54 being aligned vertically to insure proper positioning of the end Sii. A set screw 55 engaging in a suitable threaded aperture in the top of die 34 retains rod 51 and hence end SQ' in related assembly. The die end 59 is, as best shown in FIG. 2, considerably Awider than the die 34, and substantially fills the widest portion of the tapered female die 25.

The end of die 50 is provided with a toe forming plate 56 which extends downwardly well below the apex 37 of die 3d in spaced relation to the toe forming flange 27 on the female die 2S. The ends 57 of die 56 also extend outwardly beyond the extremities of the opening of the female die 25 and in alignment with the ears or flanges 26, as best shown in FIG. 2 for further shaping of the toe of the base.

If desired, in the interest of economy, the removable end boss S may be omitted, and the toe forming plate positioned directly on the end of the solid or sheet metal die. Similarly, for certain types of tools the toe bending plates on both the male and female dies may be omitted, if desired.

From the foregoing the use and operation of the device should now be readily understandable. The vinyl base B `(see FIG. 9) is first heated, and the handles 11 and 14 are compressed to open the device to the position of FIG. 4. The base is then inserted from the open end of the device, to a desired position interiorly of the female die 25, and relaxation of the pressure on handles 11 and 14 permits closure of the male die 34 into the female die 25 under the pressure exerted by spring i8 to bend the tile. At the same time the end portion 56 and the flanges 57 and Z7 bend the toe T downwardly, smoothly and evenly on both sides of the fold line F of the base so that the article assumes the form shown in FIG. 9. The flanges 29 on lugs 2S serve to keep the tile square, providing guides for the edge thereof during insertion. As soon as the bend is completed the base and bender may be placed under water to cool. After cooling when the base has again become substantially rigid, pressure on the handles l1 and i4 will permit the bent base to be readily removed.

The male and female dies have been shown, in the embodiment of the invention hereinbefore shown and described as fixed to the handle portions, but it will be understood that they may be made detachable if desired to permit the dies to be exchanged to form inside corner bends.

The toe end of the male die S is formed detachably, as illustrated so that the same tool may be employed to bend inside base corners. When this is desired the bend is accomplished by cutting a notch out of the toe of the vinyl base and bending the upper portion of the base. The removal of the die end Si) and its associated flange 56 permits this operation with the same tool.

FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 disclose a modified form of construction, which includes handle members 11a and 14a which include ears 12a and 13a pivotally mounted on a bolt 15a, which is surrounded by a coil spring 18a having its ends 19a, and the opposite end Zita engaging the lower and upper handles respectively normally biasing them apart so that their forward portions are normally biased together. The outer end 69 of handle 11a is arcuate and includes a pair of opstanding ears 61, through which a ball loci: pin 62 extends, the latter pivotally mounting a substantialll U-shaped female die 63 which is provided with outwardly flaring flanges 64. Toe bending flanges 65 are provided at the outer end of the die 63 and correspond to the previously described flange 27.

Lower die member 63 comprises a pair of spaced apart flanges, between which is movably mounted a die slide 66, which is normally biased upwardly by a pair of comression springs 67 which are mounted in suitable slots 63 in the member 66. A slot 69 -is provided in the member 66, to permit passage of the pin 62 so that the member 66 may be moved downwardly when engaged by the upper die, in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter.

The corresponding end 70 of upper handle member Mrz has a pair of aligned depending ears 71 which have arcuate slots 72 therein to permit the passage of a ball lock pin 73 which pivotally mounts a male die assembly generally indicated at 74 thereon. The male die assembly includes a pair of spaced lapart plates 75, which have an intermediate sliding die member 76 therebetween, which is apertured to receive the ends of compression springs 73, the apertures being indicated at 79 in FIG. '7. Die member 76 has an elongated slot 77 therein, through which pin 73 passes. The upper ends of the springs 78 engage transverse spacers 80 between plates 7S.

A toe bending plate S1 is secured to the ends of plates 75. The toe plate 80 operates in the same manner and for the same purpose as the previously described toe plate 56.

The use and operation of the form of device disclosed in FIGS. 6 to 8 is substantially identical to that of the previously described modification. Handles 11a and 14a are first compressed to provide an opening between die members 63 and 74 for the reception of the heated vinyl base, 4as previously explained in connection with the modification of FlGS. 1-5. After inserting the base, the handles 11d and 14a are released and sliding die members 66 and 76 are the first elements to engage said base. The force of spring 18a drives die members 63 and 74 together and, simultaneously therewith, sliding die members 66 and 76 slide into their respective slots, 63 and 79. This action compresses springs 67 and 78. Sliding die members 66 and 76 cooperate to form the fold line F shown in FIG. 9. At the same time, toe bending plate 81 and toe bending flanges 65 coact to form the toe of the article, also as shown in FIG. 9.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided an improved vinyl base bender which accomplishes all the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

Iclaim:

1. A vinyl base bender comprising a pair of pivotally connected handles, a female die carried by one of said handles, a male die carried by the other of said handles, spring means biasing said dies into engaging position, said male and female dies each having a toe bending flange at their adjacent ends, said flanges being spaced apart to permit a base toe extending at substantially right angles to the base to be bent to be formed between said flanges, said male die having a removable end portion carrying said toe bending flange.

2. A vinyl base bender comprising a pair of pivotally connected handles, a female die carried by one of said handles, a male die carried by the other of said handles, spring means biasing said dies into engaging position, said male and female dies each having a toe bending flange at their adjacent ends, said fianges being spaced apart to permit a base toe extending at substantially right angles to the base to be bent to be formed between said ilanges, said male die having a removable end portion carrying said toe bending langes, the end of said male die having spaced bores therein and a pair of spaced rods extending from said male die into the said bores of said end portion.

3. A vinyl base bender comprising a pair of pivotally connected handles, a female die carried by one of said handles, a male die carried by the other oi said handles, spring means biasing said dies into engaging position, said male and female dies each having a toe bending flange at their adjacent ends, said flanges being spaced apart to permit a base toe extending at substantially right angles to the base to be bent to be formed between said ianges, said male die having a removable end portion carrying said toe bending tlanges, the end of said male die having spaced bores therein and a pair of spaced rods extending from said male die into the said bo es of said end portion, and set screw means engaging one of said rods for securing said removable end in position.

4. A vinyl base bender comprising a pair of pivotally connected handles, la female die carried by one of said handles, a male die carried by the other of said handles, spring means biasing said dies into engaging position, said male and female dies each having a toe bending flange at their `adjacent ends, said flanges being spaced apart to permit a base toe extending at substantially right 'angles to the base to be bent to be formed between said lianges, said male die having a removable end portion carrying said toc bending flanges, each o said dies being elongated to provide a bend along the length of a base, and spring means biasing; the end of said male die adjacent said pivotal connection into contacting relation with said female die prior to engagement of the end carrying said flange.

5. A vinyl base bender comprising a pair of pivctally connected handles, a female die carried by one of said handles, a male die carried by the other of said handles, spring means biasing said dies into engaging position, said male and female dies each having a toe bending flange at their adjacent ends, said flanges being spaced apart t permit a base toe extending at substantially right angles to the base to be bent to be formed between said iianges, said male die having a removable end portion carrying said toe bending flanges, the end o said male die having spaced bores therein and a pair of spaced rods extending from said male die into the said bores or" said end portion, and set screw means engaging one of said rods for securing said removable end in position, and screw means for adjusting the relative spacing between said male and female dies.

6. A vinyl base bender comprising a pair of pivotally connected handles, a female die assembly pivotally mountdie member toward said female die member, and main,

spring means connected between said handles biasing said dies into engaging position.

7. A vinyl base bender comprisinT a pair of pivotaliy connected handles, a female die assembly pivotally mounted on one of said handles, a male die assembly pivotally mounted on the other of said handles, said male die assembly comprising a pair of spaced plates pivotally connected to said other handle, a slidable male die member between said plates, spring means biasing said male die member toward said female die member,and main spring means connected between said handles biasing said dies into engaging position, said female die including a pair lof spaced apart plates pivotally connected to said one of said handles, outwardly extending llanges on said plates, an intermediate plate mounted between said last-men-` tioned spaced apart plates, and relatively weak spring means biasing said intermediate plate towards said male die assembly.

8. A vinyl base bender comprising a pair of pivotally connected handles, a female die assembly pivotally mounted on one of said handles, a male die assembly pivotally mounted on the other of said'handles, said male die assembly comprising a pair of spaced plates pivotally connected to said other handle, a slidable male die membei' between said plates, spring means biasing said male die member toward said female die member, and main spring means connected between said handles biasing said dies into engaging position, said female die including a pair of spaced apart plates pivotally connected to said one of said handles, outwardly extending flanges on said plates,

'an intermediate plate mounted between said last-mentioned spaced apart plates, and relatively weak spring means biasing said intermediate plate towards said male die assembly, said male and female dies each having a toe bending flange on their adjacent ends, said flanges being spaced apart to permit a base toe extending at substantially right angles to the base to be bent to be formed between said flanges.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 371,639 Taylor Oct. 18, 1887 404,811 Wichelhaus lune 4, 1889 597,649 Lindas Ian. 18, 1898 1,385,481 Williams July Z6, 1921 2,503,657 Craig Apr. 11, 1950 2,811,065 Johnson Oct. 29, 1957 

